In GOP, Concern Over Iraq Price Tag-Some Doubt Need For $20.3 Billion

[cthrumatrix]

In GOP, Concern Over Iraq Price Tag
Some Doubt Need For $20.3 Billion For Rebuilding


By Jonathan Weisman and Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, September 26, 2003; Page A01


A new curriculum for training an Iraqi army for $164 million. Five hundred experts, at $200,000 each, to investigate crimes against humanity. A witness protection program for $200,000 per Iraqi participant. A computer study for the Iraqi postal service: $54 million.

Such numbers, buried in President Bush's $20.3 billion request for Iraq's reconstruction, have made some congressional Republicans nervous, even furious. Although the GOP leadership has tried to unite publicly around its president, cracks are beginning to show.

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Those details include $100 million to build seven planned communities with a total of 3,258 houses, plus roads, an elementary school, two high schools, a clinic, a place of worship and a market for each; $10 million to finance 100 prison-building experts for six months, at $100,000 an expert; 40 garbage trucks at $50,000 each; $900 million to import petroleum products such as kerosene and diesel to a country with the world's second-largest oil reserves; and $20 million for a four-week business course, at $10,000 per student.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2213-2003Sep25.html

[Hubert Flottz]

1. I thougt Only Democrats like Robert Byrd needed Super Pork!

The Repubs are the REAL Porkers! The Hypocrites don't like for the sun to shine on their golden Boy, but shine it will! The Democrats in Congress that let Bush slide on this extortion to appease and enrich Bush's campaign Con-tributors, should NOT BE RE-ELECTED! America could fix alot of things with 20 billion dollars! Let Brown&Root/Cheney pay for it!

[cthrumatrix]

2. The repugs won't spilt this $20B from the $87B....

"Some Democrats want to split the $87 billion bill into a $67 billion military spending measure for quick passage and a separate reconstruction measure. Republican leaders adamantly oppose this, saying the entire proposal is essential and cannot be picked apart"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2213-2003Sep25.html

[davhill]

3. Does not even address needs

This breakdown in costs seems to reflect more the needs of Bush's corporate contributors than the needs of the Iraqi people. They could do it themselves out of oil revenues for a lot less money. The costs of having American companies do the work includes a huge security premium.

[cthrumatrix]

4. "A $54 million study for their post office?" ...... way to go Shrub

For conservatives pushing for less spending in the United States, such comparisons hold little value. It is not the dollar totals but the targets. "A $54 million study for their post office?" asked Dan Mitchell of the Heritage Foundation.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2213-2003Sep25.html

[cthrumatrix]

5. To be a fly on the wall to hear the repugs position $20B in "pork".....

Republicans have grown nervous enough about Iraq that Vice President Cheney and White House budget director Joshua B. Bolten traveled to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet privately with the agitated ranks and go over the $87 billion emergency war spending request.

"What really wanted them to do was carefully review it so they can justify to constituents why they voted for it," said a GOP aide who was at the meeting. "You've got to be able to go back home and explain why we need to do all this."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2213-2003Sep25.html

[saigon68]

6. Disgusting absolutely disgusting

Is anyone as outraged as I am over this???

$87,000,000,000.00 to blow the crap out of, and rebuild a country that has all the demeanor of a homeless drunk and panhandler on the streets of D. C.

I guess right here in America we have NO---

1. Children to educate.

2. Seniors who need prescription drugs.

3. Unemployed workers.

4. Veterans of this or prior Wars to take care of.

5. Crumbling infastructure to fix.

6. Electrical or water grid problems.

7. Problems with social security.

8. Lagging economy with 2 million fewer jobs than 3 years ago.


Ho- Hum what uncaring scum ---Cheney, Wolfie and the CHIMP.

Does anyone really think that this money will be used for anything else but bribes and kick-backs.

I'll bet at least half, will be incentive bonuses, corrupt bribes, criminal graft, illegal inducements etc. etc.